Charlie Sheen: I have HIV

Charlie Sheen has confirmed he is HIV positive and has known about his condition for four years.

On Monday (16Nov15) it was announced that the 50-year-old actor would be appearing on America's Today show on Tuesday (17Nov15) to make a "revealing personal announcement". This came as he was widely tipped to be the "major Hollywood star" Britain's The Sun newspaper had claimed was secretly battling the disease.

Charlie appeared sober as he opened up to host Matt Lauer about his diagnosis, stating he felt he had no option but to go public because so many lies are being written about him.

"I am here to admit that I am in fact HIV positive, I have to put a stop to this onslaught of attacks and of sub-truths and very harmful and mercurial stories that are about me threatening the health of so many others, that couldn't be further from the truth," he said.

Charlie was referring to claims he had unprotected sex with women and indulged in other risky behaviour. He flat out denied ever withholding information about his health to his sexual partners, claiming he has only had unprotected sex with two women since his diagnosis - and both of them knew.

"That's my goal. I think I release myself from this prison today," he said.

Matt asked if he could have passed the disease on, prompting Charlie to reply: "Impossible".

He was then asked if he'd had unprotected sex after his diagnosis and responded: "Yes, but the two people I did that with were under the care of my doctor and were completely warned ahead of time."

He added that he has been honest with his sexual partners with "no exception", and he doesn't "entirely" know when he contracted the illness.